Back to School Shopping: Top Trends for Fall 2009
The next item on CF’s Ultimate Back to School Shopping List is plenty of cute tops.
In case you missed it, I covered denim for fall a few days ago. Today’s focus: which shirts to wear with your fabulous denim and other bottoms this season.
There are tons of trends that you’re going to be seeing in stores this fall, so to begin, here’s a rundown of the main trends when it comes to tops for fall 2009. Since there’s so much to cover, I’ll get into the specific categories (basic tops, nighttime tops, jackets, sweaters, etc.) with options you can buy online in posts to come over the next few days.
Fall 2009 Fashion: Color Trends & Runway Inspiration
Metallics
Metallic tops are going to be HOT for fall. Whether they’re shiny gold, copper, or shimmering silver, any type of metallic top will be perfectly on-trend this season. Erin Fetherston did an adorable metallic jacket that would add flair to a casual outfit, while designers like Giambattista Valli and Isaac Mizrahi did super glitzy metallic tops – perfect paired with a blazer and jeans for a cute party look.
Runway Inspiration:
From left: Erin Fetherston, Giambattista Valli, Isaac Mizrahi, and Roksanda Ilincic
Hot Pink & Other Neon Hues
The 80′s resurgence is still going strong, which means the ubiquitous neon trend is going to continue into fall. Bright shades of hot pink, cobalt blue, and yellow are all popular choices, but pretty much anything goes. Which neon color is your favorite?
Personally, I love the look of a technicolor top paired with black skinny jeans and a blazer, as in the Tibi look pictured below. Keeping all the pieces low-key and simple allows a bright color to really stand out. Over accessorizing is a no-no when you’re wearing neon because it’s the quickest way to look tacky. Keep your look simple but fun and you’ll have the neon trend down.
Runway Inspiration:
From left: Michael Kors, Tibi, Rebecca Taylor, and Louis Vuitton
Typical Muted “Fall” Colors
As always, shades of deep purple, navy blue, brown, burnt orange, and army green are popular color choices for fall. Muted tones just seem to say “autumn”, and will therefore be readily available at all the stores this season.
For fall ’09, fashion houses like Chloé and Nanette Lepore mixed fall’s muted shades with black leather – whether in the form of a handbag, leather pants, or boots. The overall look was toned down and earthy yet oh-so-chic.
Runway Inspiration:
From left: Chloé, Nanette Lepore, Rochas, and Chloé
Basic Black and Grey
The fall 2009 runways were coated in dark shades of black and grey. In one sense, it’s a nod to the recession, but it also reflects the rocker chic influence that’s been so popular in fashion lately. No matter the trend’s origins, you can’t go wrong with black and grey for fall. They’re not only some of the most versatile colors that go with everything, but they’re universally flattering on all skin tones.
Runway Inspiration:
From left: Antonio Berardi, Proenza Schouler, Doo.Ri, and Roland Mouret
Fall 2009 Fashion: Top Trends & Runway Inspiration
Color trends aside, designers worked en masse with numerous other themes this season. If you’re in the market for some new fall tops, here are a few styles you can expect to see in stores everywhere.
Embellishment
Expect to see sparkles, metallic accents, and other adornments all over the place for fall. Whether it’s a pullover dripping with sequins a la Marc Jacobs or a sparkling cardigan a la Nanette Lepore, anything shimmery or otherwise light-catching will add polish to your basic outfits for day or night.
Runway Inspiration:
From left: Thakoon, Nanette Lepore, Marc Jacobs, and Jaeger London
Serious Shoulders
Tops and jackets with strong, raised-up shoulders were all over the Fall 2009 runways. It’s a dramatic nod to the shoulder pads of the 80′s, minus all (or at least most of) the tackyness.
To get in on this trend, look for tops and blouses with a boxy structure – shoulder pads don’t necessarily need to be involved. Pair a structured top with skinny jeans or an ultra-feminine skirt for balance, and make sure to add lots of attitude – it’s essential if you want to pull this trend off.
Runway Inspiration:
From left: Twenty8Twelve, Marc Jacobs, Christian Lacroix, and Givenchy
Asymmetrical Tops
One-shoulder and asymmetrical tops made my summer 2009 must-haves list earlier this summer, so I’m psyched to say the trend is here to stay for fall ’09. Sleeveless one-shoulder tops in dark colors are party-perfect paired with skinny jeans and heels, while a single-sleeved sweater a la Michael Kors (pictured below) adds unexpected edge to a casual daytime outfit.
Runway Inspiration:
From left: Alexander Wang, Marchesa, Doo.Ri, and Michael Kors
Draping
Drapey tank tops were everywhere on the fall 2009 runways as well, and for good reason – they’re the perfect thing to pair with skinny jeans or a tight pencil skirt for balance. Drapey tanks and tops also work well with structured shorts on warm fall days. Yes, they’re that versatile.
If you’re feeling this trend right now, good news – you don’t have to wait for fall to start wearing it. Draped tanks are ideal during the summer (they keep you cool and look super chic), so why not try it out now?
Runway Inspiration:
From left: Giorgio Armani, Veronique Branquinho, Miss Sixty, and Carolina Herrera
Rips, Shreds & Cutouts
Prepare to show some skin if you want to tackle this smoking trend for fall! Designers like Alexander Wang took otherwise basic tops and cut them to pieces this season for a look that’s sexy but not overly so. This would be an easy trend to DIY if you’re short on cash, but if you’re not so crafty, there will be plenty of cutout tops available in stores this season.
One tip for wearing the cutout trend: keep the bottom half of your outfit on the modest side if you wear a cutout top: think knee-length skirts or jeans. When you show skin up top, it’s best to cover up elsewhere for balance.
Runway Inspiration:
From left: Io Ipse Idem, Alexander Wang, Charlotte Ronson, and Andrew Gn
The Exposed Bra
You read right, visible bras were an actual Fall ’09 runway trend. I know many of you were opposed to them when I asked Would You Wear… a Visible Bra?, but I thought I’d feature them because they are nonetheless a trend. If you’re into this look, there are many ways to wear it without looking trashy or showing too much skin – seriously! I’ll have more on this in an article to come, but for now here’s some runway inspiration to get you going.
Runway Inspiration:
From left: Miu Miu, Alexander Wang, Louis Vuitton, and Miu Miu
Shopping These Fall Trends
Now that you’ve seen all the trendiest tops for fall 2009 and hopefully have some new sources of fashion inspiration, are you ready to shop? If so, check back tomorrow for cute and affordable tops that won’t break the bank, plus tips on how to wear them for all different occasions.
In the meantime, I want to know what you think! Which of these fall trends is your favorite? Which are you most excited to wear this fall, and which trend is just not you? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
Posted on on August 4, 2009 / Filed Under: Shopping / Tags: Alexander Wang, Back to School Shopping, Bras, Colors, Designers, Erin Fetherston, Fall 2009, Fashion Inspiration, Givenchy, Inspiration, Marc Jacobs, Metallics, Michael Kors, One-Shoulder, Pink, Proenza Schouler, School, Shopping, Tips, Tops, Trends
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Narsha
I love love LOVE colors & metallics! Those will be definite faves on my list!
As for ‘Serious Shoulders’…I stand 5’11 with some shoulders that are pretty serious on their own! I may have to pass on some of the looks that include shoulder pads, but it has given me a little inspiration; i can rock a nice long sleeved top with one of those power skirts…and an attitude! NICE! =)
Candice
Oh I can’t wait to go shopping for these new styles. I really like the one shoulder tops, especially the Marchesa and Michael Kors shirts. Great article, and I’m looking forward to more on the upcoming fashion trends.
sara
i want to know where i can get some nice skinny black pants?? to go with a neon or bright top! i’m really tall (5’10) so if anyone has suggestions that would be great… and i’m on a tight budget too. thanks in advance!
Brittany
I love the idea of neon colors and the black and grey thing is edgy and rocker chic and I am a big fan of that.
Zephyr
Sara – I found a really cute pair of black skinny jeans at Delia’s a while back! I’m not sure if they still have the exact pair but it’s worth a look. Really cute & super cheap for a basic.
Lizzi
Those Chloé over-the-knee boots Freja is wearing are siiiick. And the Marchesa asymmetrical top… Amazing. It would look so perfect with black jeans and silver stilettos for a night out.
Jessica from Broke For A Month
YAY! Embellishments and asymmetrical tops! I’m loving almost every trend-except the visible bra. Trashy!
Jess
I love the trends for fall the hot pink trend is my favorite. I love that color, its so me hehe.
I also love the Serious Shoulders trend, its very Lady Gaga and 80s
Lena Michelle
i love one-shoulder and draping!
but for me one-shoulder is more of a summer thing, i don’t think i can pull off with a long-sleeve one-shoulder.
and emphasis on shoulders have been a trend for quite long i think, but that’s really not my thing…i still prefer more feminine look =)
Luinae
Honestly, I don’t really like any of the trends. They are all way too 80′s for me! I don’t think you have to follow trends to be stylish, but they’re fun to play around with- I just don’t like any.
Maybe the draping one is o.k, and the shoulders are good if it’s minimal (I have a cropped jacket with those sorts of shoulders), but nothing else is my style. It’s interesting to see what’s “in” though!
Aury@ An Ordinary Girl's World
My favorite trend is the draping one. I already bought quite a few draped tops at a cute little vintage store and I cant wait to rock them soon!
angela
Love the metallic trend. Already have a few pieces!
And I’m glad autumn colors and blacks/greys are going to be in, because they already take up a substantial portion of my closet!
johnieemma
stillllll not feeling the bra-sticking-out look. But the rest are beautiful!
Blacks and greys will always be in, but I’m so glad drapes and metallics are still hot from last year- I spent too much money on them ahah!
rachelle
this is the post i have been hoping for! once august comes around i can’t WAIT to begin school shopping! i go to a community college so to say the very least, style is not a main concern for many students. i love to subtly add trendy pieces to subtle outfits when im at class. this way i always look well put together without loking like a fool next to 36 people in sweats!
although i still think that visible bras are best left on the runway, i am definitely looking forward to sporting cutout shoulders and of course all the usual fall colors. thankfully, this summer i scored a great pair of black skinnies on sale at express imagining that theyd still be in style, and they are! yay!
natali
though I’m on a really tight budget I don’t even know will I be buying any of these stuff. somehow I’ve managed to have all of this trend in my closet already. :P
I’m really not into shoulders trend. it is so… not. And visible bra. Those things look so.. runway. (:
Kat
I’ve been looking at a lot of the clothes this fall – does anyone hate that buffalo check as much as I do? It’s so ugly! I also feel like a lot of the tops look like maternity wear – I guess this is just a bad reinterpretation of the draping trend?
Demi Marie
i’m really loving the metallics and muted colors.
i think this fall collection is more exciting than previous years, and i’m so excited for the season to start.!
Ashley
The exposed bra trend doesn’t really translate well off-runway, imo. Maybe for a night out, though? I love the draping trend! Very comfy, chic, and veryy forgiving!
Arielle
Love this post! It was exactly what I was looking for. This is the best blog, seriously. I can’t wait to read the next posts, I LOVE your articles!
Keep up the fab work. :)
Zephyr
rachelle – I LOVE cutout shoulders too. It’s one of the easiest ways to wear the cutout trend in my opinion. Anyone can pull it off!
Sammy
I love this post! Another fabulous job. I think that the best trend for this fall (my favorite, anyway) is the draping.
I have a drapey tank top that has a collar much like the third picture [miss sixty] and it’s purple bold paint splatter floral with a band at the bottom. Can you tell me what is the best jeans and shorts to go with it? Thanks so much!
Kerstin
First I wanted to say: Your blog is really great, I found it accidentally, and now I check your site every day :S well, I’m not a stalker! xD
Actually, my favourite trends are the typical muted “fall” colours and black and grey, I think they’re so classic and simple and I like it. And I think the Embellishment trend is pretty nice, too. What I absolutely dislike is the “Serious shoulders” trend, they’re just too serious and make me look (and even feel!) big, ha ha.
Oh, and I have one question, I’m German (hope you didn’t notice so far xD) and have to admit that I have no idea what drapey tank tops are, of course I looked at the pictures, but the tops all seem to look so different (for example if I didn’t knew what neon does mean, I’d just look at the picture and it would be clear – do you know what I mean?), I just don’t understand the meaning of the word “drapey” (dictionary doesn’t help at all), could someone explain it? Would be very nice :)
Jojo
I like many of these trends!
The asymmetrical tops are one of my favorite!
Nessa N.
Oooh, hot pink? Fabulous fabulous. Exposed bras are also fun because it’s hard to hide them completely all the time :D
Hannah
i love the neon trend. i’ve always been a huge fan of bright colors though and i’m totally set for the gray and black trend that seems to be around every fall.
CHICKDOWNTOWN.COM Brooke
Thanks for the tips, I’ll definitely keep them in mind while I’m shopping. I love the muted fall colors trend from Chloe. J. Crew’s new stuff is along those lines and I’m completely in love with it, especially when it’s on frilly blouses and over sized cardigans.
Priscilla
Neon hues, definitely.
Lately I’ve been searching for more colorful
clothes, ’cause my wardrobe is full of dark
pieces *due to my ‘darky days’ a few years ago.
I haven’t bought anyting new for a long time,
but these days I hope to go shopping and look
for the neon trend.
sara
zephyr: thanks i will look there!
Reneé
This year’s trends are all very nice ! mostly I like the metallics neon colors and all the embellished things..I love brown and tan as neutrals ALWAYS they’re like the symbol of fall..bdw It looks like the 80′s or 90′s fashion is returning and Im very happy with it :)
Tabeez
Those are pretty. Yea I think they would look good on me! :)